Killdeer

by Jim Christopher

Okay, I can do this. One problem at a time. That’s how this is going to work. Do the thing in front of me, then move on to the next. I’ll figure it out, like I always do. I have to, or Dad’s life is over.

I mean, turning drugs into cash isn’t exactly new to me. I’ve done this hundreds of times. But all I’ve got to work with is pressed luck and borrowed time. San Antonio is smelling out my weakness, a city-sized predator toying with prey. The cops are raking the earth to find me, and to the wrong person, I’m worth more than this stash of opiates I’m holding.

I need a connection. Someone I can trust long enough for one simple transaction. Dad’s going to die if I can’t find them. One buyer, that’s all I need. Then I can work out how to cover the hundred miles back to Dad before he wakes up and realizes I’m gone.

I'm coming, Dad. But first, I need to survive tonight.

I can do this. Just one problem at a time.

55 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2022

About the author

JIM CHRISTOPHER is an author of thrillers, suspense, sci-fi, horror, and urban fantasy. In this writing, Jim calls on his diverse background and interests to create surreal stories around believable characters in extraordinary situations.

He lives in Decatur, Georgia. His work history is a crooked path, meandering from stagehand, audio engineer, carpenter, cognitive psychologist, behavioral researcher, musician, software developer, learning sciences advisor, to whatever he might do today.

To relax, Jim crochets, builds tiny houses, walks his dog, reads, and tries to stay active. His guilty pleasures include laughing, petit fours, and end-of-the-world movies.

Reviews

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book Killdeer by Jim Christopher we meet Wes who just arrived in town in a stolen Toyota. He want’s to sell some highly addictive drugs that belong to his terminally ill dad because he believes his dad needs money more than pain relief. he goes to meet a friend of a friend to do the deal. Due to the fact this is a novella and isn’t that long I’m not going to say what happened but OMG if you have never read a great short story thriller read this and you won’t be able to say that ever again this was the best short thriller I have ever read and I love short stories. I thought Wes was such a great character I only wish I could know more about Wes his sister Irene his dad and utopia but having read the short story I read I definitely definitely will read more from this author he has a great imagination and awesome writing style and I can’t believe I haven’t heard of him before. This is a book I definitely recommend a total five star read. I want to thank the author for my free arc copy via voracious reader‘s only please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate most of my review.

[Heather Samsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was interesting. But left me in the lurch - now I have to get the other books!

[Mordestia M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This particular book offers a slow-building conflict and drama. If you prefer a book that is going to lead you in a rather unlikely way, then this is the book for you. The beginning is one that you must read carefully to grasp the events of drama and thrill. There are some books that take a little more time to reach the climax, and this is one of those books. Killdeer is a book of a different origin and offers a quiet twisting tale.


-Mordestia M. York, Author of The Art of Poetry

[Mackenzie Maczko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend a great prequel to the series. Morally correct or morally gray? Which would you choose when it's someone important to you? Now I need to go read book one!

Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for providing me with a free copy of this book in return for an Honest Unbiased Opinion of a review.

[Kate Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brilliant short story, I was able to identify with the main character and I enjoyed the other characters too. My only critique is that I wish the story was longer I want to know what happens next !

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read and wonderful intro to the series. Can't wait to read the others! Highly recommend!

[Gummi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from the author via voracious readers only. Definitely kept me on the edge of my seat - fully enjoyed. I would highly recommend it as it was a page turner.

[A Look Inside: Reviews and Interviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Christopher's novel Killdeer is a deeply intense and skillfully written story that quickly engages readers in a gritty, emotional journey of survival, desperation, and hope. At the heart of the story is Wes, who embarks on a dangerous and morally complex mission to save his terminally ill father, involving himself in illegal activities and high-risk situations that test his strength, resilience, and trust in fate.

Christopher writes with raw honesty and immediacy, immersing readers fully into Wes's emotional and physical struggles. The opening scenes, set in a humid San Antonio night, effectively create an atmosphere of urgency and suspense, drawing readers into the escalating stakes of Wes's predicament. His internal battles with anxiety, fear, and determination are vividly conveyed, making his experiences feel authentic and deeply personal.

The novel's pacing is excellent, building tension steadily with each chapter while balancing fast-paced action and introspective moments. Christopher’s prose is strong, clear, and evocative, using precise yet emotionally resonant language to make Wes's harrowing journey compelling and relatable.

Characterization is a strong point in Killdeer. Wes is portrayed as a flawed yet highly relatable character whose difficult choices evoke empathy and tension. Supporting characters like Matteo and Thomas are complex and morally ambiguous, adding layers to the story and enhancing its realism. The novel thoughtfully explores themes like family ties, sacrifice, moral ambiguity, and the uncertain nature of fate, integrating them naturally into the story.

While the book is well-executed, some readers might feel that certain subplots involving Wes's family, particularly his interactions with his sister Irene, could benefit from additional depth and clarity. Exploring these relationships further could enrich the emotional stakes and enhance the overall narrative.

The ideal audience for Killdeer is readers who enjoy suspenseful literary fiction with deep psychological insights and ethical dilemmas. Fans of intense stories that highlight the extraordinary lengths individuals will go to protect their loved ones will find this book especially satisfying.

Overall, Killdeer is an emotionally charged and suspenseful novel that successfully blends action with deep emotional exploration. Christopher’s storytelling is both engaging and impactful, offering readers a meaningful exploration of survival, sacrifice, and the complexities of human relationships.

[Dari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the type of story that leaves you wanting more and more. It starts right away, leaving you to wonder what in the world could have the main character (Wes) have done priorly as to why the police is looking for him. All we get is him wanting to get to a city to sell some really strong medications that belong to his terminally ill father. He genuinely believes he hasn’t stolen from him, but is rather helping him get rid of those medications and get money for him. Unfortunately this idea isn’t going as planned, and instead meets to sell those medications to a friend of a friend, but that friend of the friend has the goal of getting back his unpaid debt.
All I could this as the story kept unfolding was, “what about the dad?!” . I felt like Wes, just thinking what could be happening as the time was going by and Wes couldn’t make it back home due to all the trouble he was encountering.

[Felina Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Killdeer is a gripping novella featuring Wes Allard who was attempting to sell drugs in exchange for cash so he could help his terminally ill father see a healer.

Killdeer, the title of the story is an allusion to a bird specie that uses deception to lure predators away from their nest. Killdeers don't always lay their eggs in the safest places. The bird uses the "broken wing" distraction to draw away the hunter from their flightless chicks so when the killer zeroes in on the prey, the killdeer escapes at the last minute.

The writer was juxtaposing the protagonist's dicey and sticky situation to the killdeer's strategy. To achieve his goal of obtaining the cash and freeing himself from his restraints, he had to negotiate guilelessly with Matteo's friend and direct his attention to the hidden drugs.

It was a short but riveting and compelling read!!!

[Cynnibryella Gotsrucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really good - it captured my interest quite quickly and was short enough that I didn't really lose interest. There was a cohesive and enthralling story as we follow the main character, enraptured by his actions and the characters that he meets.

And then it just...ends. I was left with far too many questions at the end of this novella to give it a rating that it seemed to deserve as I read it. Unless there's a sequel that I'm just unaware of, there is far too much left unanswered and I was left unsatisfied and frustrated.

4/5 story, 1/5 ending.

[Amy Lierz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes trying to do what you believe is right, might just be wrong. When someone is important to you, how far would you go to save them?

This is a short story related to The Utopian Testament books (which I have not yet read). I was a little confused at first trying to find my bearings with this story, but it sucked me in. I had to keep reading to see what happened next.

[Reza Mohammadhassan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Killdeer" by Jim Christopher is a gripping addition to The Utopian Testament series, blending suspense, crime, and supernatural elements into a compelling narrative. The story follows a protagonist on a desperate quest to save their father, navigating morally complex situations by converting stolen pain medication into cash. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of San Antonio, the novel excels in vividly depicting its nightscape and the palpable tension that permeates every scene.

Character development is a strong suit, particularly with the protagonist, who wrestles with deep responsibilities and a fierce determination to help their ailing father. Supporting characters like Matteo add depth with their realistic motives and uneasy alliances. The plot is tightly woven, maintaining a steady pace filled with constant tension and unforeseen obstacles that propel the narrative forward. Christopher's writing style is accessible yet evocative, balancing action with introspective moments and delivering sharp, realistic dialogues.

While the plot occasionally telegraphs its twists and some secondary characters lack depth, these minor flaws do little to diminish the overall enjoyment of the book. "Killdeer" is recommended for readers who enjoy suspenseful, emotionally charged stories that skillfully blend genres and deliver a thought-provoking literary experience.

[Allison Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story to be quite enjoyable. Wes would do anything to help his terminally ill father get better, even if it means selling his dad's pain medication to pay for alternative treatment. What could possibly go wrong????? Recommend this book 👍

[Penny Lynch]

Killdeer has a very good storyline but I was unable to finish the book. It warns about drug content, thought I could handle it but I found that I could not the content. I also had trouble with the cursing through the book as well. Had to stop reading it.

[Susan Bale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story.
This really hit my heart, as the son was doing so much for his Dad. My husband is now palliative, and I'm sure my son would do the same.
It's well written, and I'm looking forward to reading the remainder of the series - I need to get book one .

[Tracy Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short story. The struggles with money and taking care of family. I’m hoping to see what happens next.

[Crystal Wrongerahippie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short and fast read about Wes who attempts to sell his father’s pain medication so he can see a healer.

[Morticia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining story, fast paced and tense. This is a good introduction to his series.

[Tam Neidich · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great little thriller! It kept me guessing at every turn and I'll have to read the rest ASAP!

[Linda Straub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Killdeer has compelling, intelligent and believable characters plus a remarkable storyline. I could not put this book down.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is different from what I normally read. I was wanting to know more background into the MMC and the father. Maybe that will be in his other books?

[Beverley Ammeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story. Has all the excitement of the drug world. A must read.

[Teresa Tavener · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually don't like short stories and this proved why. Well written and intense but too short. Questions left to your imagination